March 30th

It was mild this morning, but grey, slightly damp, and there was no sun. Because of the rain yesterday, the ground was very muddy. We left the house at 7.20 a.m. - which, for the ravens, was again 6.20 a.m., seeing that they don't use our clocks!

So it did not surprise me that we didn't hear any raven calls, nor did we notice any ravens in any of the tree tops.

We walked up to the enclosure in the big field, but the quarry pair did not appear.

Then we walked on, into the ravens field - no ravens until we were right at the enclosure. Then the young pair appeared, sitting on the fence posts.

We walked round, half way, the ravens picking up the scraps, as always only when my back was turned. Interestingly, they come much closer to us when they fly to sit on a fence post as when I was with my cheeky Madame. 

They don't seem to regard Miss Sophie as much of a threat. And she, on her part, does not seem to regard the ravens as something to be wary of. She is however, scared when she sees other dogs, and is constantly on the look-out for this perceived danger, poor thing!

We then went out again at 1.50 p.m. It had started to rain in the meantime, and had become noticeably colder, with icy blasts coming from the North West.

We heard a few single raven calls from quite a distance, but not one raven appeared while we walked round the big field into the ravens field.

Nor did one raven turn up as we walked round the enclosure in the ravens field. 

Thankfully the rain and wind had kept most afternoon dog walkers indoors, so Miss Sophie was a bit less scared than in the morning.

It will be cold and wet tomorrow as well - and muddy ... Good thing I have kept my wellies and winter clothes handy!